Home Care and Community Services Team

The Foundation's goal is to help people with ALS and their family members deal with all aspects of this difficult disease.

Cham1 065.jpgBecause we realize that not all issues can be best addressed at clinic appointments or support group meetings, the Foundation provides in-home visits at no cost.

The Home Care and Community Services Team consists of three registered nurses and one social worker, who are specially trained to provide ongoing information, assessment, support and coordination of care to ALS patients in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

The team provides a wide range of services, including:

  • Phone support for patients, families or health care professionals;
  • An assessment of the home environment for any needed adaptations;
  • Practical advice on symptom management and daily living;
  • Consultation with home health agencies and hospices to coordinate care for patients;
  • In-service education for home health agencies, hospices, case management groups, assisted living facilities and nursing homes;
  • Evaluation of residential facilities for patients;
  • Assistance with a living will, medical power of attorney, and other end of life issues.

The licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W.) can provide the following additional services:

  • Discussions with patients and families regarding any changes in physical health, emotional well-being, or job situation;
  • Information regarding Disability, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and other financial resources;
  • Guidance in accessing care through state programs, hiring a caregiver with out-of-pocket resources, and other ways of maximizing assistance;
  • Counseling with patients and/or family members;
  • Advice regarding the emotional care of children with a family member affected by ALS and/or counseling sessions with the children;
  • Consultations to other professionals working with ALS patients and families;
  • Bereavement support as requested by family members.

For more information or to request a visit, please contact Claire Owen at cowen@lesturnerals.org or (847) 679-3311.

Staff

Claire Owen, LPN, Director of Patient Services, is a former hospice nurse and has been with the Les Turner Foundation since 1989. She has extensive experience in matching patient and family needs to available resources.

Shari Diamond, RN, BSN, ALS nurse consultant since 2005, received her bachelor of science in nursing from Northwestern University. Shari was previously the clinical nurse coordinator at the Les Turner/Lois Insolia ALS Center from 1986 to 1991. Prior to that, she was a head nurse on the ENT/Head and Neck Oncology Unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Laurie B. Fieldman, MSW, LCSW, Director of Social Services, received a master's degree from the University of Chicago in 1993 and one from National Louis University in 1992. She has been with the Foundation since 1999.

Ileane Mindel, RN, ALS nurse consultant since 1995, graduated from Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing of the City University of New York and previously worked at Hospice of the North Shore where she served as Coordinator of Patient Care and Payer Development.

Judy Richman, RN, BSN, ALS nurse consultant since 2007, has been involved in both the clinical and research aspects of ALS since 1989, working at major ALS centers in the Chicagoland area before joining the Les Turner Home Care team.  In addition to her primary role as an ALS nurse consultant, she also serves as the Foundation’s representative to the International Alliance of ALS/MND